Between Rage and Serenity
The following morning Moira, Erika, Charles and Kurt returned to the facility. Despite getting one of the quickest planes they could find and even with Kurt's teleportation abilities, they had arrived too late to prevent Shaw's actions.
The damage done was worse than Erika had imagined. The facility was all but completely destroyed, there was a heavy list of casualties, policemen and soldiers were everywhere, and their little group of mutants sat outside looking complete and utterly wrecked.
Upon their arrival, Raven embraced Charles before she hugged Kurt tightly as she cried. "Thank heavens you're both all right," she said. "It was terrible. Shaw's enlisted Azazel's help."
Kurt actually paled. "My-my father vas vith him?" he whispered, horrified. "He did this?"
Raven nodded. "And Shaw's got a helmet that can block out telepathic abilities."
Erika frowned. A helmet that can block out telepathy? But how could Shaw have something like that with him? Unless…Erika's face darkened in realization as she said something in another language none of them spoke as she clenched her fist in anger, making them all stare at her.
"Erika, what is it?" asked Charles, concerned.
"The helmet Shaw has, it's mine. I created it years ago in case of an emergency," she explained. "It's designed to protect the wearer's mind from those with telepathic abilities. It was stolen six weeks after it was made. I didn't know it was in Shaw's possession. As long as he's got that helmet, your telepathy's useless against him."
Charles frowned in concern. "It would explain why I couldn't find him with Cerebro. This does present a problem. But, we'll get past it. Every puzzle has a solution."
And you're ever the optimist, thought Erika. With my helmet in Shaw's possession, how do you intend to find him or stop him?
"In the meantime, we've made arrangements for all of you to be taken home immediately," said Charles, to the young mutants.
"We're not going home," said Sean, firmly.
Charles blinked as Erika smirked.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Shaw killed Darwin," said Alex. "You may think that's all the more reason to leave—"
"Which it is," interrupted Charles, sternly. "This is over."
The devil it's over. Erika knew there was nothing Charles could do to make the young mutants change their minds. For better or worse, battle and loss changed people. Like it or not, they were a part of this now and that was all there was to it.
"Darwin's dead, Charles, and we can't even bury him," said Raven, softly. "And Shaw's got Angel on his side now. We can't just sit here and let him continue whatever it is he's planning."
"Which is why you won't," said Erika, making them all look at her. "You want to stay and fight Shaw? Then so be it. We'll take the battle to him."
Charles looked displeased as he walked over to Erika. "Erika, a word, if you please," he said.
He pulled her aside where they spoke quietly.
"You can't seriously be considering this. They're just innocent kids!" hissed Charles.
"No, they were innocent kids," she corrected. "All of them are battle-changed adults and they have the right to make their own choices. I don't want this anymore than you do, but we need them. If we're going to defeat Shaw, we need allies." When Charles started to protest, she added, "If it was your sister or nephew that Shaw had taken; what would you do? If it was you or Kurt that had been taken, what would you expect Raven to do, Charles?"
There was more to Erika wanting to fulfill the young mutants' desires than what she was telling Charles. The fact was, Erika felt partially responsible for Armando's death. Though she knew she was not at fault and she was not to blame, the young mutant only came because she and Charles persuaded him to. He'd been her charge, and she'd failed him, just like she'd failed Wanda and Pietro. She would not do that again. If they stood together, they would win. How did that old saying go? "United we stand, divided we fall."
Charles sighed and was quiet for a moment before he finally nodded. Erika knew she was right and he'd finally agreed with her.
Charles faced the young mutants and Moira. "We'll have to train, all of us. Agreed?"
"Yes," they said, in unison.
"But where would we go to train?" asked Hank. "Staying here is out of the question. The facility's compromised."
Erika had to admit, Hank brought up a good point. Where would they go to train? One of the humans' strongest bases had been destroyed and discovered. Where would a safe place for them all be located?
"My family and I have a place, where we can train and we'll be safe," said Charles. "We have our house in Westchester, New York."
Oh, this ought to be interesting.
Within a few hours, Erika and the others arrived in Westchester, New York. After their plane landed, they took a car and eventually drove up to Charles's house.
No, 'house' isn't exactly what I'd call this, thought Erika, as she stepped out of the car. Charles's 'house' was actually an enormous and beautiful, three-story mansion, complete with a stunning garden. It was far more grand and luxurious than anything Erika had ever known.
Growing up, she and her family had lived in humble dwellings and when the war started, they had lived in even worse poverty than before. They'd lived on the streets or whatever rat hole of shelter they could find. She'd still lived in a bit of poverty when she was raising her children and the nicest home they'd lived in was a two-bedroom cottage.
"This is yours?" said Sean, gazing upon the building in amazement.
"It's ours," corrected Charles.
Unbelievable. He really had been fortunate in ways she hadn't. "Honestly, Charles, I don't know how you survived, living in such hardship," she teased.
"Well, it vas a hardship softened by my mother and me," said Kurt, laughing as Charles kissed Raven's head.
Erika chuckled.
"Come on, time for the tour," said Raven, as she led everyone inside.
Everyone was given fine, lovely quarters of their own and then the next day, the work began.
XXX
After Erika, Charles and Raven had a long discussion, they decided that everyone would have certain times to train everyday until it came time for the fight against Shaw. Each and every one of the mutants would be given the attention and tutelage needed to help them control their powers. For the time being, they would be focused on individually, based on how much help they needed.
And Alex Summers, or 'Havoc' was right on the very top of the list. He was struggling; the most with his powers and that had to be tended to immediately.
Charles took Alex downstairs after breakfast the next day. Erika had decided to lend her assistance to him as she had experience with Alex's type of power and Raven was helping the others with Hank.
"Charles, what is this place?" asked Erika, as they entered the subbasement.
"My stepfather took the possibility of nuclear war very seriously," explained Charles. "So, he built this bunker down here. I thought we could use it as a practice range of sorts. We'll adjust it later, of course. But for now, I think it'll work for our needs."
"You don't think I'm going to blow through the walls?" asked Alex, surprised.
"My stepfather had this place built to resist a nuclear bomb. I'm sure it can handle you, Alex," said Charles, smiling.
Alex didn't seem convinced as he put the practice dummy in place and went to take his stand. "You know, when I do this, bad stuff tends to happen."
"That's because you can't control it. It controls you," said Charles. "That's why we're here, Alex. It's why we're training."
"Would you prefer some privacy for the first session?" asked Erika, noticing his nervousness.
"If you wouldn't mind…"
"Not at all," said Charles.
Charles and Erika departed from the room, only to return a few moments later when a light went off and they found the entire bunker on fire and the target dummy unharmed. Charles looked aghast, but didn't say much as he quickly put out the fire with the fire extinguishers he kept for emergencies.
"I will teach you to control this, Alex," he said, confidently.
From the discouraged look on his face, Alex didn't share in Charles's confidence.
Erika squeezed his shoulder. "Don't let this bring you down, Alex. The battle's not lost yet. With a little patience and perseverance, we'll get past this."
Alex said nothing.
Eventually, Hank was able to fit Alex with a special power suit that would help Alex's abilities. The suit would measure his energy levels, focus his energy and absorb the excess. However, it didn't fix the problem as during one of his training sessions, Alex blew up the two target dummies he wasn't supposed to.
Since Alex's problem reminded her of someone else's, Erika came up with a solution and after consulting with Charles, he agreed and they decided to test her theory during a practice session.
"We've isolated the problem you're having, Alex. It's the same problem my daughter had when her powers manifested," said Erika.
"And that would be what exactly?" asked Alex.
"Simply put, you don't trust yourself. When you don't trust yourself, you start a chain reaction. When you don't trust yourself, you panic. When you panic, you can't focus, and when you can't focus, your powers don't work properly," explained Erika. "Fear affects many a mutant's powers. But we all have the power to overcome that."
"And how do you propose I do that?" asked Alex, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"By giving you something to focus on," said Erika, smirking.
While Hank remained at Alex's side, Erika and Charles stood on either side of the target dummy.
"Alright, Alex, I want you to try and hit the 'x' and I want you to not hit me or Erika, there's a good chap," said Charles.
Hank looked terrified, but said nothing.
Alex stared at them, incredulously. "You're serious?"
"Quite," said Charles, seriously.
"We have complete and utter faith in you," said Erika.
With that vote of confidence, Alex took a deep breath, held his shoulders back and then fired a straight and narrow beam of red energy. This time, Alex's attack hit the target and not everything else in the room.
Alex started laughing as Erika and Charles smiled at him as Hank looked quite relieved.
As always, a little incentive goes a long way, thought Erika.Wanda's powers had been similar to Alex's, uncontrollable when she was frightened or angry. But like Alex, Wanda had found the trigger and was able to trust herself, thus gaining control over her gift.
XXX
Banshee's training was next on the list.
Erika set up a target for him, an enormous metal frame filled with panes of glass. They had him try and shatter the glass with a minor scream. He succeeded, but they both realized he was having a little trouble focusing his sonic cries.
"What you're doing is incredible. You're hitting a pitch with sound waves that have the same resonant frequency as the glass. That's why it shatters," said Charles. "But your throat's just like any other muscle in the body. You can control it."
"With a little practice, I think your screams could reach a supersonic level, and you'd be able to project them enough so you could fly," said Erika.
Sean looked excited. "Fly? You serious?"
"As a heart attack," said Erika.
Later that week, Hank created a suit that would help Sean to fly. Unfortunately, their first attempt at a test flight fell through quickly, literally. He'd tried to fly by projecting enough scream to a supersonic level and jumping out of a window, only to fall flat on his face.
Deciding it would be best to try another approach, Erika, Hank and Charles took Sean to the top of a satellite dish.
"You truly believe I'll fly this time?" said Sean.
"Unreservedly," said Charles.
"And you seriously expect me to jump off here?" said Sean.
"You'll be fine, Sean. Just scream loudly, catch the right angle and you'll be just fine," said Hank.
"That's what you said last time and all that happened was me getting my face squashed from falling out of the window. I'm going to die!" said Sean, looking terrified.
Charles placed a comforting hand on Sean's shoulder. "It's okay. We're not going—"
"Here, let me help," interrupted Erika. She gave Sean a little push off the satellite dish, sending him straight downward as he yelped.
"Erika!" scolded Charles.
Erika rolled her eyes. The boy was in no immediate danger. If she thought he was, she easily could pull him back by grabbing the metal on his flight suit. She proved to be correct when Sean started screaming powerfully enough to grant himself flight. He was actually cheering as he soared around them through the power of his sonic scream.
Charles gave Erika an exasperated look, and Erika just gave him one back.
"What? You know you were thinking the same thing. He just needed a little incentive and I gave it to him," she said.
Charles just shook his head at her before they resumed watching Sean. Erika wasn't put off by Charles. If she had believed Shaw was going to be harmed or anything of the like, she'd have either stopped Sean's descent or not done it at all. Oddly enough, Sean's training session reminded her of when she was helping her son control his gift when it manifested.
Pietro had been like Sean that way. He needed incentive before he would try out his powers. But unlike Sean, who needed fear as an incentive, all Erika had had to do for Pietro was point out he could better protect Wanda if he worked on controlling his power and that had given him the trigger he needed.
Erika found herself smiling as Sean then landed safely and gracefully back on top of the satellite dish with them.
"Ms. Lensherr, you're cool and all, but don't ever do that again, please," said Sean, after he caught his breath.
"I promise you, I won't," assured Erika, as she held up her hands in defeat. "You have my word."
Charles patted Sean on the shoulder. "Excellent work, Banshee, excellent," he said, smiling.
Sean grinned. "Thanks, Professor."
Banshee's earned his name, that's for certain.
XXX
Hank's training was more vigorous.
Charles handled his training alone. He got in the habit of doing jogging exercises every morning. So far, Charles was beating Hank in their running races, but he knew Hank could easily defeat him if he'd actually relax a little and stop hiding so much.
While taking a little break from their morning jog, Charles decided to try another tactic.
"Hank, I've got a little quote for you. See if you can tell me what it's from. 'In each of us, two natures are at war,'" said Charles.
"That's from Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde," said Hank.
"Top marks. But Stevenson's story wasn't really about good and evil though, was it, Hank? It was about man's animal nature and his struggle to control it, to conform," said Charles. "And it's that struggle that's holding you back."
Hank shook his head. "No, Jekyll was afraid of what he could be capable of."
"And you are too," said Charles, gently. "But you don't need to be. Trust in yourself and in your abilities, Hank."
Hank sighed. "Alright, Professor, I'll try." He took off his shoes and flexed his ape-like feet for a moment.
"If you want to beat me this time, you need to let the beast free," said Charles. "Ready?"
"Just say when," said Hank.
Charles nodded and prepared for their next race. "On your marks, get set, go!" He started to run, but Hank was clearly faster. He was only one-quarter around the mansion when Hank return, smiling and clearly full of energy and not out of breath like Charles.
Charles just smiled and laughed, feeling quite happy with Hank's success as they shook hands. "Congratulations, my friend. Robert Louis Stevenson would've been proud."
Alex, who just happened to be walking by, patted Hank on the back. "Impressive, Hank. With feet like those, all you need is a red nose and you'll be set. Right, bozo?"
Hank looked hurt and Charles narrowed his eyes in anger.
Unfortunately for Alex, Erika happened to be taking a little walk
"Alex, apologize to Hank. You're doing the dishes tonight, and you're not permitted to join the others for television this evening," said Erika.
Alex looked outraged. "What? But Miss Lensherr—"
"No buts!" interrupted Erika, sounding stern. "Every student is expected to show one another the respect and courtesy that's due to them. No one is an exception to that rule. Until you can learn some manners, you're being punished and that's final. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Miss Lensherr," said Alex, dully. He looked quite annoyed, but he didn't argue further as he turned to Hank. "Sorry, Hank. I was just joking."
Hank just mumbled a reply, and went back into the mansion with him while Erika shook her head disapprovingly. He was young and he was mature in some matters, but when it came to courtesy, he could use a little improvement. When was that boy ever going to learn?
XXX
Raven and Kurt's training, however was different.
Kurt, like any other teleporter, needed to either see or know where he was going, otherwise he could wind up inside a wall or worse, and unlike his father, Kurt could only teleport so far. However, he was extremely agile and quite good with a sword. Knowing a bit about swordplay, Erika offered to help with Kurt's fencing, to which he eagerly agreed and Charles worked on his teleportation abilities with Raven's help.
Erika and Kurt had rigorous fencing sessions where no powers were allowed save for their own skills. Kurt quickly proved to be the better swordsman, especially during one session when Kurt managed to knock her down with his tail, claim her sword with his tail and then hold both blades to her throat in obvious victory.
"Touché," said Erika. But she was smiling as Kurt helped her up and laid down their weapons. "Excellent job."
"I've had an excellent opponent," said Kurt, smiling.
"Thank you. Now, come with me downstairs. Your uncle's got a little test for you."
In the bunker where Charles and Raven were waiting, there were over two dozen targets and a timer of sixty seconds.
"Vhat's all this?" asked Kurt.
"Part of your training," said Charles. He placed a blindfold over Kurt's eyes. "You've seen the area, you know where to go. What you need now, is to find out is how many of those targets you can hit before the timer goes off. That way, we'll know how fast your teleportation skills are."
"Vhat? But I—"
"Shush," interrupted Raven. "Don't even think, Kurt. Just trust in your abilities and teleport." She kissed his cheek. "Make me proud."
Kurt blushed slightly and then teleported when Charles told him to. Within the brief sixty seconds of the timer, he managed to teleport and hit all the targets in record time while doing a series of impressive acrobatic skills, much to everyone's joy.
Raven's training was different.
Having been practicing since she was six, Raven's shape shifting abilities were already at their peak. She could copy anyone, their voices, hair, appearance—anything, except for mutant abilities—at any time within two seconds flat. As long as whoever she was copying was near her own height and weight, she had minimal strain. She was also working on other skills, such as hand-to-hand combat, weaponry and strategizing and becoming quite good at it.
However, Erika was concerned about Raven's desire for a normal appearance, even on the battlefield and decided to test a small theory.
One afternoon while Raven was exercising, Erika silently walked into the room and made the weights Raven was lifting float, starting the shape-shifter.
"My apologies if I startled you. I thought a little test for my theory was in order and you just proved I was correct," said Erika.
"What're you talking about?" asked Raven.
"If you're using half your concentration to look normal, then you're only half paying attention to whatever else you're doing," explained Erika. She dropped the weight, but Raven caught it within a split-second and also shifted to her true blue form. "I mean no offense; I merely intend to point out something that could save your life on the battlefield. Anonymity's a mutant's first line of defense, but you can't live in fear all your life. How can you expect society to accept you, when you can't even accept yourself? When you have accepted yourself, truly and without any doubt, you're ready for whatever else comes your way."
"No offense taken. Thanks for the tip," said Raven. She seemed quite intrigued by Erika's words and Erika knew she'd just blown a spark into a flame.
XXX
A few days later, Erika and Charles were on the mansion's grounds, training. Or at least, they were trying to. Erika was trying to get Charles to shoot her at so she could work on deflecting bullets. So far, Charles didn't seem able to pull the trigger and it was starting to irritate her.
"Charles, I've told you, it's perfectly fine. So, for heaven's sake, just do it!" said Erika, impatiently.
Charles sighed as he pulled the gun away. He looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I can't shoot anyone at point-blank, let alone someone I care about."
Erika sighed in exasperation as she grabbed his wrist and held the gun in his hand to her forehead. "Oh, come on. You know I can deflect it! You're the one who keeps telling me I need to push myself," she protested.
"If you know you can do it, then you're not challenging yourself, are you?" retorted Charles, as he pulled the gun away. "Whatever happened to the woman who was trying to raise a submarine?"
Erika was quiet for a moment as she ran her fingers through her black tresses as she thought back to that night when she'd tried and failed to stop Shaw's submarine from escaping her. She'd wanted to raise it, but the truth was, she didn't possess the strength to accomplish such a feat. She then shook her head. "It's impossible. I can't control something that big. The situation I'd need, the anger…it can't be done." She'd tried countless times to expand her powers over the years, but the fact was, Erika had reached the limit of her abilities.
Charles shook his head. "No, the anger's not enough."
Erika frowned as she folded her arms across her chest. "I think I know what triggers my abilities, Charles." She should know, shouldn't she? They were her abilities and she'd been doing what she did for years. "Besides, it's gotten the job done all this time."
Charles didn't share her feelings on the matter, and shook his head yet again. "No, it's nearly gotten you killed all this time. Come here. Let's try something a little more challenging." He took her arm and led her to railing. In the distance, they could see an enormous satellite dish. "See that? Try turning it to face us."
Erika didn't see how she possibly could, especially not at the current range she was at, but there was no harm in trying. If she did somehow manage to move it, she'd prove that anger got the job done and exceed her expectations. If she didn't, she'd just prove Charles's point. Whatever the outcome, she had nothing to lose by fulfilling Charles's request.
She stretched out her hands and tried make the satellite dish move. She felt the familiar surge of anger and power, but try as she might, she could not make the satellite dish move. It refused to budge, no matter how hard she tried, and she finally stopped when the strain tired her out. She hung her head for a moment, feeling ashamed of herself for being weak.
"I can't do it," she murmured.
If I can't even move that satellite, what hope do I have of raising Shaw's submarine and getting my children back? When was she ever going to reach her full potential and succeed in what she set out to do before she met Charles?
Charles, however, seemed to disagree with her conclusion.
"Yes, you can. You just need a little help. I believe that true focus for your powers lies somewhere in between rage and serenity," said Charles.
Erika raised her head and gave him a questioning look. Between rage and serenity? What on earth was that supposed to mean?
Charles raised two fingers to his left temple. "Would you mind if I—?"
Erika hesitated. He was asking for permission to enter her mind. Should she let him? What if he learned her secret? But then again, there was no guarantee he'd find out. Not to mention, if he was able to find her true trigger for her abilities, she'd become more powerful than ever and be able to accomplish anything. There was more to gain than to lose in this, so she nodded and then braced herself for whatever Charles intended to do. Suddenly, she inhaled sharply as she was pulled away into memories of years ago.
Eight-year-old Erika Lensherr was sitting in the dining room with her family. Her father, Jakob, was lighting the menorah and then he sat down with his copy of the Holy Book he refused to replace as it had been in the family for three generations. Even after the war had ended, he retained his soldier-like posture and yet was still a sweet and caring man, devoted to his family and his religion.
Her little sister, Ruth, helped their mother, Anya, place dinner on the table. Even at the young age of six, Ruth was a beauty with her flowing amber hair, sparkling blue eyes and adorable little smile. She always helped out and was adored by all who knew her.
When Erika reached out for her, Ruth immediately climbed into her lap and wrapped Erika's arms around her tiny frame. They both giggled a little as Erika gently rocked her while humming their favorite little tune.
The sight of the two sisters' closeness brought a smile to their mother's face.
"My precious girls," murmured Anya, as she reached out and stroked Erika's cheek. Anya's touch was delicate and soft and always made Erika feel at peace.
The memory faded and changed.
A much older Erika was sitting up in a bed in a convent. She was breathing hard and sweating as a nun gently wiped her face with a cool rag and helped her to drink some water. After the nun helped her ease back into the pillows, a midwife carefully placed Erika's newborn twin babies at Erika's side.
"Congratulations, dear, you have a daughter and a son," she murmured.
"Thank you," said Erika, tiredly, as she smiled. She was exhausted and sore; but she was also crying and laughing softly. Everything she'd just gone through, it had all been worth it to see her little ones at last. Her son had a tiny tuft of white hair and blue eyes, and he was making little baby noises. Her daughter had a tuft of dark brown hair, brown eyes and she held Erika's finger in her tiny hand.
Erika could not stop smiling and shedding happy tears at the sight of her babies as she held them close to her. They were both so beautiful and absolutely perfect. They were all she'd ever dreamed of and more.
"They're beautiful little angels. What will you name them?" asked the nun, smiling softly.
"Pietro Jakob Lensherr and Wanda Anya Lensherr," said Erika, without hesitation. Her babies would be strong and wonderful, just like her parents had been and Erika would give them a better, happier life than she had known.
Erika was shaking and breathing hard as she found herself back in reality. She felt a stir of emotions she hadn't felt in so many years and a tear had found its way down her cheek. She had not shed tears in six years. Not since Wanda and Pietro had been taken from her.
"Charles, what did you just do to me?" she whispered.
Charles's eyes were slightly red as he wiped away a tear of his own and leaned on the railing beside her. "I accessed the brightest corners of your memory system," he said, as his voice cracked. "They're very beautiful memories, Erika, thank you."
Erika swallowed painfully as her throat tightened as she thought of what she'd just relived. "I didn't know I even still had those memories," she confessed. With her obsession for the past six years and all she'd suffered, she'd forgotten them. She mentally berated herself. How could she have allowed that to happen? Those memories were precious and should never have been forgotten in the first place.
Charles looked at her with sympathy and something else she didn't recognize. "There's so much more to you than you know," he said, softly. "Not just pain and anger. There's so much goodness, beauty and love in you, I felt it. When you can access all of that, you'll possess a power no one can match, not even me." He squeezed her shoulder. "Come on, let's try again."
Erika nodded before she took a deep breath and faced the satellite dish once again. This time, she focused on what Charles had suggested, the point between rage and serenity. Power surged through her again, but this time it was different in ways she could not begin to explain. She felt stronger, more powerful than ever. There was a loud, metallic sound as she not only turned the satellite dish, but also managed to make herself float several feet in the air.
Finally, when the satellite dish faced her and Charles, she let go of the power and found herself back on the ground. She leaned against the railing as Charles took her hand in his as they both laughed and smiled at her achievement.
"Well done," he said, smiling. "Well done."
"Thank you," she murmured, as she squeezed his hand in gratitude.
It was at that moment that they realized just how close they were and the position they were in. Neither of them spoke, but then they started to move closer, only to jerk back when Moira's voice was heard from the window.
"Hey, the president's about to make his address! You'd better come inside."
Erika cleared her throat. "Indeed. Come on, Charles," as she pulled away and went inside the mansion. Everyone was gathered in the living room, surrounding the television. Erika took a seat in one of the armchairs as the president's image appeared on the television screen.
For days, they'd been monitoring all television and radio news reports. All the reports said the same thing—the world was in the middle of what people were calling, 'The Cuban Missile Crisis.' People were panicking, stocking up on food and having drills should their fears of a nuclear war come to pass. And those at the mansion were the only ones who knew that Shaw was behind it all.
"It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile crossing the embargo that surrounds Cuba, as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States," said the president.
"That's where we'll find Shaw," said Erika, as the president continued.
"How do you know?" asked Moira.
"Two superpowers are facing off, and he wants to start World War Three," explained Charles. "He won't leave anything to chance."
"And neither will we," said Erika, as she rose up. "I suggest you all get a good night's sleep right after dinner, for tomorrow we take the fight to Shaw. You'll need all your strength."
No one argued with her as she left the room. Tomorrow, the long-awaited battle would commence. Tomorrow, humans would know of mutants' existence. Tomorrow, Shaw would finally get what he deserved. Tomorrow, everything would come full circle. Just one day more and Erika's work would finally bear fruit. Just one day more.